Why Does First Love Feel This Sweet? - Chapter 15

Chapter: 15 The Counterfeit Kiss

Sheng Yi didn’t want to disappoint Cheng Wenge, but he also didn’t want to leave Rong Yu “lonely” at home, so he invited him along.

Cheng Wenge had been looking for a chance to face Rong Yu. Since Sheng Yi’s disappearance after high school, the two had no contact. Without Sheng Yi as their link, they wouldn’t even be acquaintances. Since middle school, they had been engaged in a silent tug-of-war over Sheng Yi’s “ownership.”

To Cheng Wenge, Rong Yu was a “perfect icon”—emotionless, cold, and aloof to everyone except Sheng Yi. But Cheng Wenge knew better. He had seen the hidden, possessive side of Rong Yu—a side that was far more dangerous than his calm exterior suggested.

When Rong Yu arrived at the restaurant, the atmosphere shifted. “I hope I’m not interrupting,” Rong Yu said, sharing a natural smile with Sheng Yi.

As they ate grilled lamb, the conversation turned sharp. Chu Yesheng, the cafe owner, asked curiously, “I heard you two got married and caused quite a stir at the engagement banquet. Is it real?”

Sheng Yi’s chopsticks froze. Do we have to act in public, too?

Rong Yu remained calm. “Does it look fake?”

“Want to verify the marriage certificate, Brother Chu?” Sheng Yi pulled up a photo of the certificate on his phone, playing his part to the hilt. “I have a copy right here. Don’t worry, we’re the real deal.”

Chu Yesheng laughed but noted, “You’re not wearing rings. People in our circles usually suspect ‘contract marriages’ when there are no rings.”

Sheng Yi didn’t skip a beat. He grabbed Rong Yu’s hand and kissed his fingers. “Wedding rings are so cliché. My partner is like a celestial being—do you think he’d care about such worldly trifles?”

Rong Yu lowered his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips. Sheng Yi continued the act, resting Rong Yu’s hand on his thigh and patting it naturally. “If I show off any more, he’ll start getting annoyed with me back home.”

…

Midway through the meal, Cheng Wenge stood up. “I’m going out for a smoke. Yu-ge, care to join?”

Outside in the parking lot, the air turned cold. Cheng Wenge offered a cigarette; Rong Yu declined and lit one of his own—a menthol. The nicotine and chill helped him stay sharp, a habit he’d picked up during the three years Sheng Yi was gone.

“The ‘good student’ is smoking now?” Cheng Wenge mocked. “Why did you act like such a saint and forbid Sheng Yi from doing it back then?”

Rong Yu’s expression turned icy. “What did you say to Sheng Yi?”

“If your intentions aren’t ‘unclean,’ why are you afraid?” Cheng Wenge flicked his ash. “When did you start liking him? Middle school? High school? You’re playing ‘warm water frog,’ waiting for him to lose his chance to resist so you can swallow him whole.”

“Cheng Wenge,” Rong Yu said, turning to leave with a chilling aura, “I’ve always felt that Sheng Yi is much smarter than you.”

…

Back at the table, Sheng Yi’s “grand acting” was falling apart because of his poor alcohol tolerance. He had sneaked a beer while they were gone. By the time they left the restaurant, he was clinging to Rong Yu’s back in the parking lot.

“Wife… Hubby made money today. I’ll buy you anything you want,” Sheng Yi mumbled, his ears red. “I’m sorry, Xiao Yu… I’ll buy you whatever you want, just say the word…”

“What did you do that you’re sorry for?” Rong Yu asked, glancing at him.

“I’ll buy you ice cream!” Sheng Yi giggled, nuzzling his hot lips against Rong Yu’s sharp jaw.

At the ice cream stand, Sheng Yi grandly pulled out his phone to pay for the “most expensive” ones. The clerk scanned the code: “It’s buy-one-get-one-free for the original flavor. That will be five yuan.”

Sitting by the fountain at Pigeon Square, they ate their five-yuan ice cream.

“Xiao Yu, when are we getting divorced?” Sheng Yi asked suddenly, staring blankly ahead.

Rong Yu’s hand stiffened. “You want to leave?”

“Mhm,” Sheng Yi frowned. “I think… we’ve taken this too far. Your family is too good to me. I’m scared they’ll hate me when they find out the truth. Can I move out early?”

“No,” Rong Yu’s voice turned cold. “Not yet. I’ll handle the aftermath.”

“But… I’m afraid I’ll mess up the act,” Sheng Yi whispered, wiping a bit of cream off Rong Yu’s coat. “My acting only works on parents. It won’t fool people our age. We should say our personalities don’t match and end it soon…”

Suddenly, Rong Yu leaned in.

Sheng Yi froze, his ice cream held mid-air. He felt Rong Yu’s cool, soft lips press against the corner of his mouth for several seconds before pulling back.

Rong Yu looked deep into his eyes. “Then don’t act. Let’s prove it to them like this.”